Senator Cortese’s High-Speed Rail Bill Clears Assembly Appropriations, Cutting Red Tape Along Critical Rail Corridor

SACRAMENTO, CA — California State Senator Dave Cortese’s Senate Bill 1425 has cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file, advancing legislation to give the California High-Speed Rail Authority clear authority to manage and permit encroachments along the project’s rights-of-way.

“California cannot afford to let legal ambiguity and unnecessary red tape slow down critical infrastructure,” said Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose). “SB 1425 creates a clear, common-sense permitting process that protects the high-speed rail system while allowing essential projects—from utilities and broadband to water and other infrastructure—to move forward.”

Current law allows the Authority to manage its property but does not provide a standardized process for new encroachments, creating uncertainty for communities, businesses, utilities, and developers.

“High-speed rail is a generational investment, and we have a responsibility to protect it while ensuring the communities along the corridor can continue to grow,” Cortese added. “This bill brings clarity, accountability, and efficiency to a system that desperately needs all three.”

"With the California High-Speed Rail Authority now executing a co-development agreement with a private consortium to accelerate the project, eliminating unnecessary barriers to completion is critical. SB 1425 provides a vital mechanism to streamline the project," said Robert Pearsall, California Political Director for U.S. High Speed Rail. "By authorizing the Authority to issue encroachment permits, the bill provides third-party access to its right-of-way, accommodates essential utility expansions to serve the public, and unlocks regional development opportunities for local businesses."

SB 1425 now advances to the Assembly Floor.

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

Contact:

Mario B. Lopez, Communications Director

Office of Senator Dave Cortese | District 15

Phone: 408-545-8205 | Email: Mario.lopez@sen.ca.gov 

For Scheduling Media Requests: 

Natasha Waxman, Executive Assistant 

Office of Senator Dave Cortese | District 15 

Email: Natasha.waxman@sen.ca.gov 

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